Chalia Films was established in 2004 by Shalin Sirkar. In the first years, the company predominantly functioned as a producing, co-producing and financing vehicle. In 2011, Shalin Sirkar moved beyond producing and made her directorial debut with MINESH. In 2013, MINESH premiered in competition in the Orrizonti section of the 70th Venice Film Festival.

In 2014, Chalia films temporarily disbanded and delegated long standing projects to partner producers and associates.

Currently, Chalia Films emerges from its hiatus and is engaged in the development of two South African films, PAUL in Cape Town and WOZA WEEKEND (previously courted as HOME SWEET HOME) in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Other projects previously in development in India, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden are also in the pipeline.